Triple talaq case petitioner joins BJP

Ishrat Jahan, one of the five petitioners in the triple talaq case, has joined the BJP.

Ishrat (31) was divorced by her husband from Dubai her over the phone in 2014 by uttering "talaq" thrice.

BJP's West Bengal unit general secretary Sayantan Basu told DH on Monday that Ishrat was felicitated by the Howrah district unit of the party on Saturday, where she was inducted into the party.

"Ishrat Jahan has joined the BJP at a felicitation ceremony at our Howrah district office on Saturday. A state-level programme to welcome her to the party fold will be held soon," Basu said.

He, however, declined to comment when asked whether Ishrat will be the party's candidate in the January 29 Uluberia Lok Sabha bypoll.

Both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the CPM have announced their candidates for the bypoll.

The TMC has nominated Sajda Ahmed for the seat. Sajda is the widow of former TMC MP from Uluberia Sultan Ahmed, whose death last year has necessitated the byelection.

The Opposition Left front has nominated Sabiruddin Mollah of the CPM for the seat.

Soon after attending the felicitation programme organised by the BJP, Ishrat welcomed the NDA government's move to get the Triple Talaq Bill passed in the Lok Sabha.

"I welcome the Centre's move to pass the Triple Talaq Bill. After this, the lives of our next generations are secured and they will not have to go through the situation we experienced. I have joined the BJP not because it is a political party, but because it supported our cause. Modiji made a revolutionary law in the interest of victims. I will work in the party's women wing," she told reporters soon after the programme.